Mike Howard is the chair of the World Energy Council. Howard has over 40 years of results-driven, multifaceted leadership experience in organizations ranging from entrepreneurial startups to large public companies with increasing responsibilities in operations, finance, sales and marketing, product development, and strategic planning. Most of his experience is in providing technical consulting services and products to both U.S. and international electric utility companies. 

Howard is CEO emeritus at the Electric Power Research Institute, where he served as CEO and president from 2010-20. Prior to his appointment, he served as senior vice president, research and development, and president and CEO of EPRI Solutions, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EPRI. EPRI Solutions was created by the merger of three companies, one of which was the EPRI Power Electronics Application Center Corporation, where Howard served as president and CEO. He was elected by the United States Energy Association as the 2019 United States Energy Award recipient, recognizing preeminent energy leadership and contributions to international understanding of energy issues. Howard holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a Master of Science in business and engineering management from the University of Pittsburgh, and a doctorate in engineering science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.